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Institute for Neuroscience
Staff
| Univ. Prof. Georg Dechant, PhD Director of the Institute |
Phone: +43 (0)512/9003-71250 E-Mail: georg.dechant@i-med.ac.at |
| Sieglinde Morak Secretary |
Phone:+43 (0)512/9003-71251 Fax: +43 (0)512/504-27390 E-Mail: sieglinde.morak@i-med.ac.at |
| Ass. Prof. Galina Apostolova, PhD Assistant Professor |
Phone: +43 (0)512/9003 71254 E-Mail: galina.apostolova@i-med.ac.at |
| Nico Robin Wahl, PhD Postdoctoral Researcher |
Phone: +43 (0)512/9003-71257 E-Mail: nico.wahl@i-med.ac.at |
| Mujahid Ali, PhD Postdoctoral Researcher |
Phone: +43 (0)512/9003-71253 E-Mail: mujahid.ali@i-med.ac.at |
| Paola Chietera, M.Sc. PhD Student |
Phone: +43 (0)512/9003-71255 E-Mail: paola.chietera@i-med.ac.at |
| Adrián González Díaz, M.Sc. PhD Student |
Phone: +43 (0)512/9003-71255 E-Mail: adrian.gonzalez@i-med.ac.at |
| Heidrun Berger, B.Sc. Master Student |
Phone: +43 (0)512/9003-71253 E-Mail: heidrun.berger@student.i-med.ac.at |
| Fabian Rinner Medical Diploma Student |
Phone: +43 (0)512/9003-71253 E-Mail: fabian.rinner@student.i-med.ac.at |
| Marcel Hartmann Technical Assistant |
Phone: +43 (0)512/9003-71253 E-Mail: marcel.hartmann@student.i-med.ac.at |
Research Interest
Univ. Prof. Georg Dechant, PhD
Role: Univ.-Prof. & Director
Email: Georg.Dechant@i-med.ac.at
Role: Secretary
Email: Sieglinde.Morak@i-med.ac.at
Ass.Prof. Galina Apostolova, PhD
Role: Assistant Professor
Email: Galina.Apostolova@i-med.ac.at
A major focus of my research is to study the role for spatial genome organization and nuclear architecture in aspects of neuronal function associated with memory consolidation and cognition. We are employing mouse genetic models of the chromosomal architectural protein SATB2 and a combination of biochemical, cell biological methods, and high-throughput next-generation sequencing to understand how alterations in chromatin looping and/or tethering of chromatin to the nuclear lamina can orchestrate programs of gene expression that underlie long-term neuronal plasticity. We are also using behavior analyses in loss-of-function models to uncover the functional significance of 3D genome topology and nuclear lamina-directed genome organization for adaptation to novel environments, learning behaviors and memory formation.
In humans, rare de novo alterations in SATB2 locus cause a syndrome characterized by developmental delay and severe intellectual disability, whereas common variation is linked to general intelligence and risk for schizophrenia. In collaboration with D. Morris (National University of Ireland), we recently demonstrated that the genes regulated by SATB2 as well as the genes encoding SATB2 interacting proteins are highly constrained. Rare high impact mutations in these genes cause severe cognitive disorders whereas common low impact variants influence cognitive ability in the general population and contribute to schizophrenia and educational attainment. Our long term goal is to gain deeper insights into SATB2 molecular functions in the brain and to understand how defects in the chromatin loop establishing/stabilizing machinery in the neuronal cell nucleus could lead to cognitive dysfunction and memory impairments.
We believe that differentiated postmitotic neurons in order to sustain the demands for lifelong performance and respond to varied environmental stimuli with long-lasting changes in structure and physiology are equipped with specialized mechanisms to reconfigure their 3D genome on a large scale and in a dynamic fashion. Our long-term goal is by studying these mechanisms to facilitate the discovery of novel intranuclear drug targets for treatment of cognitive impairment and mental illness.
Courses offered for the PhD/master students at the Medical University of Innsbruck:
- Functional Neurogenomics
- Neural Development and Differentiation
Role: Postdoctoral Researcher
Email: Nico.Wahl@i-med.ac.at
Nico is interested in higher order chromatin organization and the epigenetic mechanisms underlying memory formation. In his research he focuses on cortical excitatory neurons, genotype differences and activity dependent mechanisms. His aim is to identify novel targets of known intelligence associated regulatory elements.
Nico joined the Dechant lab in October 2017 and is part of the SPIN Neuroscience excellence program. He obtained his M.Sc. at the Management Center Innsbruck and wrote his Master Thesis at the Rockefeller University, New York in the laboratory of Tom Tuschl. There he first gained insight into transcriptomic research and helped establish the 10xGenomics single cell RNA sequencing platform. At the end of 2018 he went to Mount Sinai, New York to work with Schahram Akbarian, M.D., PhD. and Kristen Brennand, PhD. to learn novel techniques to study chromatin dynamics and how to derive excitatory neurons form human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). When not in lab Nico enjoys to meet friends and skiing in the Alps.
Ali is interested in studying 3D chromatin organization and epigenetic mechanisms associated with learning and memory in response to the turnover of molecular targets in the hippocampus. He aims to uncover the regulatory role of novel molecules in the pyramidal neurons involved in learning, particularly in the context of early life stress and its long-lasting effect on gene regulation and social behavior.
He completed a joint Master's degree from IMC Krems in Austria and the University of Cambridge in England. During his Master's studies, he studied the transcriptome of resistance and susceptible genes in response to Nora and IIV6 viruses in DGRP lines. This experience provided him with a strong foundation in molecular biology and genomics. Continuing his academic journey, in 2016, he joined the doctoral program in the Zhou lab at the Department of Neurosciences, University of Vienna. In his Ph.D., he studied the epigenomic chromatin landscapes and 3D genome organization during the development of Drosophila. This work allowed him to develop expertise in analyzing high-throughput sequencing data, utilizing cutting-edge techniques, and unraveling the intricate relationship between epigenetics and genome architecture, which drove him a curiosity for understanding the molecular underpinnings of neurodevelopment of spatial learning and memory.
Role: PhD Student
Email: Paola.Chietera@i-med.ac.at
Paola started her PhD in the Institute for Neuroscience in November 2020 under under Prof. Apostolova’s supervision. Her current project focuses on the nuclear lamina (NL), a meshwork of type-A and –B lamins, which is anchored to the inner part of the nuclear envelope via interactions with inner nuclear membrane (INM) proteins. Paola investigates the role of chromatin-NL interactions and INM proteins in mouse excitatory cortical neurons and their influence on gene expression, spatial genome organization and synaptic plasticity.
Email: Heidrun.Berger@student.i-med.ac.at
Heidrun is enrolled in the M.Sc. program Molecular Medicine at the Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI) and joined the research group in February 2023 as part of her Master´s thesis. In her project, she uses murine primary cortical cultures to investigate components of the ESCRT-machinery. To gain insights into the contribution of the ESCRT-complex proteins in neuronal function she uses various techniques for protein depletion/overexpression but also immunocytochemistry for confocal imaging.
Before joining the Master program in Innsbruck, Heidrun absolved her Bachelor degree in Molecular Medicine at the Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg (Germany). There she wrote her Bachelor`s thesis at the Center for chronic immunodeficiency under the supervision of Prof. Bodo Grimbacher and focused on the genetic basis and pathophysiology of primary antibody deficiencies.
Email: Fabian.Rinner@student.i-med.ac.at
Fabian is a medical student at the Medical University of Innsbruck. He is particularly curious about understanding the molecular underpinnings of psychiatric and neurological diseases. Within the frame of his diploma thesis, Fabian joined the research group in February 2023. In his project, he investigates the mechanisms by which nuclear envelope proteins mediate changes in gene expression upon neuronal activation in cortical neurons. As a model system, he employs murine primary cortical cultures, gaining experience in immunocytochemistry, confocal imaging and molecular biology techniques.
Alumni
Patrick Feurle, PhD
Former PhD Student
Current Position: QC/QA Associate at Innovacell
Jessica Popottnigg, M.Sc.
Former Master Student & Research Assistant
Current Position: PhD Student at the Medical University Innsbruck
Current Position:
Diana Daum, B.Sc., M.Sc.
Former Master Student
Current Position: